Blogs I Read almost Daily

Blogs I Read almost Daily

Monday, 25 September 2017

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I spend a lot of time reading blogs. I love discovering new ones, referring to blogs for a valuable sources of information from beauty reviews to inspiring me with the next destination I need to add to my bucket list. I am constantly finding new blogs to add to my reading list, and rediscovering old ones however there is a selection of blogs which I read almost daily, and have no shame in admitting I have read nearly every single one of their posts.

Where's Mollie?

Mollie's blog has possibility been my favourite blog since I discovered it. A travel blog filled with the most inspiring, beautiful but also genuinely useful posts. I find it so easy to relate to her travel posts, and actually do what she recommends, see what she says can't be missed and have used her blog as reference when planning many trips. And I am forever recommending it to everybody I know, to use it to inspire them. Mollie also writes some more lifestyle content, again so relatable, a few of my favourites are this post about Why It's So Important to Be Single and 16 Thing's She'd Like to Say to Girls All Over The World.

Gracie Francesca

I'm pretty sure you will all of heard of Gracie, the girl boss, working to inspire people, challenging societies views and pressures, taking about taboo topics in a very frank and relatable way. Gaining herself the respect of the masses, as she inspires you to be yourself, love yourself, accept yourself. Gracie's post are honest, and open talking about sensitive topics that need to the talked about. She also posts some incredible outfit and beauty posts, which shouldn't be missed. Everyone needs Gracie in their life. My favourite posts are this post about how Empowered Women, Empower Women and this post about Mental Health.

Hannah Gale

A sassy, girl boss blogger who writes about anything from her current TV favourites to life lessons she learnt, with a few outfits and beauty posts chucked into the mix. I love how original Hannah's content is, full with beautiful photos. I find Hannah's blog post very beneficial, I always learn something, her blogging tips are so useful, her lifestyle posts teach me something new, inspire me to try something new and her fashion posts leave me with a wishlist bigger than my bank account can handle. I love this post on Letting Go of Trying To Get People to Like Me and this post about Feeling Like Your Blog Content Is Good Enough.

Vix Meldrew

Where to start with Vix, I find her blog hilariously funny, incredibly well written and the content is just oh so original.  A sex, relationships and lifestyle blog Vix covers it all. Documenting her dating experiences, her observations of the dating world as well as talking about more serious lifestyle topics. Her blog is well worth a read, and I promise once you start you'll be hooked. I love this post about What Love Island Teaches  Us About Modern Dating and Why You Need to Love Being Single to Have a Good Relationship.

There are many more blogs which I catch up with regularly, and love but we'd be here forever if I listed them all.

I'd love to discover more blogs so leave your favourites down below.

Currently Loving

Currently Loving

Tuesday, 15 August 2017

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I thought it was time to break up all of the travel content I have been bringing you with some more beauty and lifestyle content. Since returning to the UK I have realised just how much stuff I have which I do not need, or want anymore but while having a slight cleanse of my belongings I have rediscovered some old favourites and some new.

Starting with makeup, I have been trying to test and use as much of my makeup collection as possible. Choosing what I want to keep and what can be passed onto a better home, I have rediscovered some real gems! Firstly Benefit's Watts Up Highlighter, I initially didn't get along with this product simply because I was applying it wrong. The best technique I have found is to apply it to the skin with a stippling brush, rather than swiping the product directly onto the skin which leaves it impossible to blend out. The perfect summer glow, I literally smother my face in this stuff!

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Powder in Light Plus, my new go to setting powder. Day to day I don't like to bake, and therefore don't feel the need to use a loose powder. This is a light powder, doesn't leave you looking at all cakey but can be built up or reapplied through out the day.

The hype around the L'Oreal Paradise mascara has been huge, and when it was time for a replacement mascara I thought I'd give this a go. Let me tell you, there is a hype for a reason. This mascara is so damn good, I cannot get enough of it! Perfect for voluminous lashes, that don't clump and are the blackest black. I do wish they would bring out a waterproof version, although I am sure that is soon to follow.

Look Good Feel Better is a charity I am trying to whole heartily support, helping patients across the UK with the physical side effects of cancer, the offer makeup master classes to help bring back the confidence which lots of cancer patients loose. They have a range of makeup brushes, which not only support this brand but are also amazing, I absolutely love the powder brush but also use the multi tasking brush daily for my foundation, the finishing brush to apply my Watts Up highlighter.

My Osprey card holder has had more use than I ever imagined, I have been preferring the use smaller bags or no bag at all in which case this is perfect because it houses everything I may possibly need. I don't carry cash anymore so all I need is card, driving licence, rail card and thats about it!

I managed to finish my year in Australia with a little more money than I expected to, so after a year of budget travel, hard working and saving I decided to treat myself to a new camera. While initially I had my eye on the well loved Olympus Pen EPL8, after a huge amount of research I decided to go of the Olympus OM-D E-M10II, and I love it! I am still learning how to use it, but can't wait to experiment more with my photography, especially travel photography.

Keeping with the photography theme, I have been printing all of my photos from Australia to scrapbook when I get a chance. I have been relying on Cheerz which is a brand I have used before and have always been very impressed with their quality, if you want to print some photos you can use my code OTTV8W for a discount.

Lastly, my SkinnyDip phone case! They have so many to choose from its impossible to pick just one, I brought this in Australia but since looking on their website there are so many more which I love just as much. If your in the market for a new phone case check them out, I have put a few of my favourites below.

New and Improved

New and Improved

Sunday, 16 July 2017

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So I've been blogging for over three years now, which is crazy. I started this blog one Christmas after watching endless YouTube videos on cold evenings snuggled in bed. I discovered the likes of Tanya and Zoe. But also people like Chloë Morton, Emily Canham and they are who inspired to start this blog. 

I realised I love makeup, I wanted to be apart of this community so as well as reading and watching, I started writing and sharing my own content and people started engaging. I have never found a passion like blogging, something that I felt like I could do but something that I also could develop and improve. Constantly wanting to make it better, produce more content of a higher quality. 

When I came to Australia nearly a year ago, posts began to fizzle out. I felt less inspired to write about makeup, I didn't find the time and so I stopped. Despite this my blog has always been important to me, always on my mind and something I was not going to give up on. So, I'm relaunching it. I'm starting over, and am going to reignite my passion but with a new twist. I always intended that O is for Ottilie would change and develop as I changed and developed, so after this year away its time for a big change.

Loads more travel posts, I've travelled round a lot of Australia, captured loads of memories which I cannot wait to share, tips and tricks I've picked up on the way. I've found a new passion, or hobby in travelling and discovering the world and it's something I want to share, to write about and promote. 

I want content to be regular but not forced, I haven't earnt a penny from this blog so I'm not about to fund non stop trips across the globe just for new content. There will be times when I'm not travelling and therefore will not have new travel posts to share, and if I'm perfectly honest who knows what I'm going to write about. Maybe when I go home, and get reunited with my ridiculously oversized makeup collection that passion will once again begin but right now I hardly wear makeup, so how can I talk about it, test it or share it. A little part of me does miss it though, so the keep a balance, I will continue with beauty posts just expect a little more variety. There really will be something for everyone. 

I named my blog O is for Ottilie to allow myself to be myself on my blog, talk about whatever I wanted, and therefore change was inevitable. But change is exciting, and sometimes just what you need. 

It's been a long time since I posted, so here goes to a fresh start and hopefully another few years of O is for Ottilie. 

You may also want to check out...

End of An Era
Things What Happened in 2016

Things What Happened In 2016.

Things What Happened In 2016.

Saturday, 31 December 2016

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2016 is a year which will be going in history books, and in years to come school students will be studying this year and all the major world events which happened. Trump became US president, the UK voted to leave the EU, mass shootings happened across th
e globe, people became terrified because of their skin colour, sexuality, beliefs. 2016 has been a weird one. However aside from these major world events 2016 has been possibly one of the best years for myself personally.

Dealing with Death

Dealing with Death

Thursday, 3 November 2016

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Nearly two years on, the death of three very close relatives in consecutive months still haunts. The memory catches me at unexpected times, and leaves me fighting back tears and forcing myself to smile through despite the feelings welling up inside. Loosing so many people so quickly really f***** me up, I couldn't deal with it and suffered in silence- nowhere was there any kind of advice of getting through it.

The New Normal

The New Normal

Sunday, 17 July 2016

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So, this is the view I wake up to every. single. day now. Pretty sick right? I now live in Sydney in what they proclaim to be the worst accommodation with the best view, and to be honest the accommodation could be worse, so much worse but the view is nothing less that amazing. This is my new home, my new normal.

Let The Adventure Begin

Let The Adventure Begin

Thursday, 14 July 2016

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So this is surreal, I am currently sitting in Hong Kong airport with an hour or two to wait till I get my second flight to finish of my twenty two hours of travelling and get me to my desired designation of Sydney. If you didn't know I was going there, where have you been? I literally have shut up about the fact that I am in fact moving to Sydney for a year. How exciting!
So I have been travelling for about ten hours, yawn, and still have a solid twelve to go. For someone who claims that they can sleep anywhere, I am yet to sleep so hello serious jet lag and a very grumpy Ottilie.
This literally does not feel real, despite the fact I am half way across the world on my own, with a hand luggage which weighs more than a bag which I have checked onto the plane, walking round the airport literally feels like a workout. It feels like I will be home in a couple of weeks, I won't be I have a full 365 days to go and I CAN NOT wait for the adventures awaiting me. This is the fresh start I have wanted for so long.
Saying goodbye was weird, my emotions are weird, I cried but really I wasn't scared or worried at all. Seeing my parents shed a tear, is something which never fails to make me well up and saying goodbye to my twin sister, was one of the hardest things I have done and trying to keep it together nearly killed me. We have been together since birth, with the longest we have been apart being two weeks and now we have a full fifty two weeks to get through, in which she will be going through some huge changes and new things where I wont be there by her side. I know she will smash it, she always does and where we can't snuggle in bed and watch films together, trusty Skype will ensure we can stay in touch and with the constant watsapp messaging I will be missing out on nothing.
You don't really think about the fact that this is the last time in a year, because as I said it hasn't really hit me. I went through security gate, the point of no return and I pulled my shit together and got on with it. Something I pride myself on being very good at.
Bring on another twelve hours of travelling and I'll keep you updated on the flip side.

June Advertisers

June Advertisers

Thursday, 30 June 2016

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I have been such an awful blogger, I have completely deserted blogging for the last few days, almost a week but I have been so busy with work that I just haven't had the time. However I have set aside days to get blogging and photography done before I go, which is in fact two weeks today eek. This month I only have one advertiser, please get in touch if you would like to advertise next month, the silver and bronze packages are still available.

Finally Free

Finally Free

Wednesday, 22 June 2016

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Yes, no change here another random post from Ottilie just rambling on. It seems that I just have a lot of thoughts and feelings that I want to share, or at least get down in a post. You may of noticed that my content hasn't been all that great over the last few weeks, well believe it or not I have been finishing off my A-Levels and as of 3:35 today I am finished and finally free. Free from school, revision and exams. The next chapter of my life starts as of tomorrow morning,  where I will be enjoying the first lie in of weeks and being able to do absolutely nothing and not feel guilty for it. I am so excited to put all of my energy into my blog, when I'm not working. I just want to blog, I have so many amazing things to test out and share with you, there is some seriously exciting content coming your way so please stay tuned.

I leave for Australia three weeks today, so I do not have an awful lot of time. What I intend on doing is taking a whole load of photos, in bulk which I can then use when I am out their. I guess there will be lots of travel related posts, lots more chatty, almost diary style posts as I really want to share to true experience with all of you. There is going to be a lot of shopping happening, as I currently own no shorts or nothing remotely hot weather appropriate (I am aware its winter when I arrive- I'm prepared for that).

Side note: I am looking for a camera, I want to sell mine and by another one within the next three weeks. All recommendations are welcome. It needs to be small, but take amazing photos something like the olympus pen but perhaps with a smaller price tag. However if you know of anyone selling an olympus pen please tweet me and let me know because I am desperate!

I had such an amazing tine at the Bloggers Ball and there will be a full post coming on that very soon, plus I have loads of goodies to try and share with you meaning even more exciting content. I just have so many ideas floating around, and in huge great lists on my phone, sticky notes, notepads everywhere. I am worried that I have too many ideas and that I won't be able to get them all done in the time I have, I will however try my best.

But for now, I want to enjoy being free before I am off to start my next adventure.

Sally writes an amazing blog called saysallymay.com go leave her a comment

I'm Not Doing a Gap Year, OK?

I'm Not Doing a Gap Year, OK?

Thursday, 16 June 2016

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Gap year is one of those things which seems to have got a bit of a reputation over the last few years. Not nesscarily completely bad, but generically it is seen as a year in your life after you finish school to travel, do some good, find yourself etc before heading straight off to uni. Brilliant if that's what you want to do, but for me I don't want to be put under that label or even for people to consider that I'm doing a gap year. Because I'm not. I'm starting my life, I've left school and I have my whole life ahead of me to do whatever the hell I want. Currently I do not plan to come back to any sort of higher education, and therefore I'm not on a gap year. However I am going to Australia to work in a school for a year, which I agree is a classic gap year excursion so be prepared there will be lots of posts on this and to help all of you who are on a gap year, never fear I am not completely anti them. 

5 Things Which Make Me Happy

5 Things Which Make Me Happy

Saturday, 4 June 2016

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Despite my mood, everyday there are things which I am grateful for, which make me happy. Today I have complied a list of five things which currently make me happy, small petty things and rather more sentimental meaningful things. Regardless of how big or small, they all mean something and put a smile on my face. I'm challenging myself to think of at least five things daily, which are making me happy and I am grateful for and you guys should do the same.

Tips To Grow Your Pinterest Following

Tips To Grow Your Pinterest Following

Tuesday, 31 May 2016

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Pinterest is my new obsession. I have been pinning the whole time everything from makeup looks, to delicious cakes to fitness inspiration and interiors. Literally everything I like, is being pinned. As a result of this, I have gained a serious amount of followers, in a very small amount of time in my eyes. I thought I would share some tips with you, on growing and making the most out of pinterest. Also, make sure your following me @oisforottilie GoGoGo!!

NutiPlan Teatox Review

NutiPlan Teatox Review

Monday, 23 May 2016

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Teatox's are everywhere at the moment. I am very skeptical about them personally, as the ones plastering everyone's instagram feeds seem to be very celebrity endorsed which does slightly make me question how legit the enthusiasm for them is. I was kindly sent this NutriPlan Teatox, and thought I may as well give it a go.

Leaving School, Thoughts, Feelings & If I Could Do It All Again

Leaving School, Thoughts, Feelings & If I Could Do It All Again

Friday, 20 May 2016

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Today is the day I have waited years for, finally I'm leaving school. Free of the education system,  its idiotic ways and useless curriculum. School has been one huge, great, long journey for me and not necessarily entirely good. I am so undecided about how I feel about it all, in one way I am not at all sad just want to get on with it and leave, the majority of my memories of school are not particularly ones which I want to cling onto and remember. However I do look back and there is a that part of me that liked it, and aspects of school I will miss.

Let's start from the very beginning, primary school were some of the happiest school memories I have. I had such an amazing time, and honestly loved school despite the small fall out with friends here and there it was pretty simple, stress free and I enjoyed it just like every small child should. Surrounded by lovely people, and inspiring teachers in a school environment like no other.

I then moved to a school for two years, to fill the gap between primary and secondary which is a time I feel slightly indifferent about, I didn't hate it but I don't have a bank of memories but what I did gain was a solid few friends, and the results to get me a place at my 'dream' school, or so I thought.

Onto Secondary school, now despite giving the impression I hate it and it was the worst thing ever, it wasn't just certainly wasn't the best. This is where my love of school ground to a halt. I really struggled, and anxiety began to become a huge part of my life. For a period of time I actively hated school, I was positive that after year 11 I was leaving and never coming back. School had well and truly screwed me over, and I was having none of it. I was even told that I wouldn't get back in, and the determined side of my decided to prove them all wrong. Year twelve, I did come back and I hated it, in the first week I cried to mum every day. Begging her to let me leave. I had come back way out of my depth, suddenly had no friends and it just reminded me of how unhappy I was before. I did carry on, evidently and it did get better and since then its been ups and downs. I feel like where I struggled with exams, and the school pressure and expectations I couldn't make up with in having a ton of friends, I have friends and I love them all dearly, however I have had a tough time with friends coming and going, and often felt quite alone despite being surrounded by masses of people. I'll never love it, but I do love my friends and the memories we have made. School just wasn't my thing, okay? Friends come and go, people change and this can be so hard, along with the fact exams aren't my strong point and I just don't fit the school mould, it was never going to be my strong suit.

I wouldn't ever do this all again, my life lessons are well and truly learnt and sometimes I feel like I really did learn some things to hard way. But if I did, I wouldn't let the result pressure get to me. I would spend more valuable times with the friends that I love, and make more effort to get to know more people. I would of started following my passion earlier and not of been ashamed to share it. I would of stuck up for what I believed rather than following the crowd. And lastly I would say F*** You to every single person who said I couldn't do it.

I don't look back at my last five years of education with the enthusiasm and happiness that I know many people will, but I don't hate it either. I've done my time, and taken from it what I can however now is my real time to shine. Free of the burden of school. School hasn't left me with nothing however, alongside some pretty awful exam results, I have gained some amazing friends and had some incredible experiences, and although not all that positive my school years are not something which I am not going to forget.

Heres a new blog for you to check out, Love Yourself Beauty.

Saving Tips from a Spendaholic

Saving Tips from a Spendaholic

Thursday, 12 May 2016

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Saving money can seem like a massive challenge, almost impossible especially if you have a spending habit just like mine. You know you've got a big old mission ahead of you, but fear not. Saving, as I have discovered as not as hard as you initially think. I have complied a list of tips for saving, especially for those spendaholics among us.

May's Amazing Advertisers

May's Amazing Advertisers

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

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So this post was initially designed to go up on the first, however typical me as unorganised as usual forgot to schedule this however better late than never. This is the first ever post introducing my Advertisers of this month, hopefully there will be more to come in the future. Check out my advertisers page for more information.

Update, Advertising & EXCITING NEWS

Update, Advertising & EXCITING NEWS

Sunday, 1 May 2016

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What an amazing way to start May, I'm actually starting to think that Spring is finally here and Summer is well on its way but I'm not counting on it. I have a crazy couple of weeks, and have a few more very busy weeks before I'm finished with school and all the stuff that goes with it. Roll on 20th May.

Luxury Coloured Core Business Cards

Luxury Coloured Core Business Cards

Thursday, 17 March 2016

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First impressions always count. As my blog has grown, I have wanted to share it with people and talk about it more (cheeky self promo here and there). You want people to remember your blog, to check it out when they get home and along with the fact that my name is quite tricky to spell, most people would need to write it down, otherwise there is no chance they would find it once they get the chance. This is where a set of business cards come in handy, something to give them to keep which will jog their memory later on, with the added bonus of all the information they need being right in front of them. However there are so many business cards out there, and people trying to be different making your business cards stand out, without being anything to wild or inconvenient may seem challenging- oddly shaped business cards will always be going in the bin.  Aura Print have designed these coloured core business cards, the perfect classy minimal way to get yourself noticed.

The Blogging Pressures, Striving for Perfection & Honesty

The Blogging Pressures, Striving for Perfection & Honesty

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

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Blogging wise, this year has been a bit of a mess. Starting last year in early December where things didn't really go to plan, despite hours of planning and organising for blogmas things just did not materialise. It just goes to show that no matter how well organised things may be, there is still an element of unknown which could crop up at any moment. This year has not been very consistent, in terms of the amount of posts and quality of posts.

I Can Literally Do Anything

I Can Literally Do Anything

Tuesday, 8 March 2016

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My career options are something which I have never really spoken about on my blog, something I never wanted to publicly share. Not because it was particularly embarrassing, or something which had to be kept secret but more because it wasn't guaranteed and what if I didn't get in? It's hard enough having to explain to just about every friend of the family that although you said that's what you wanted to do, you can't because you weren't excepted.